“We can do with all of the help we can get because it is very distressing for all of us here.

“We had one of the most beautiful gardens and now it has been destroyed.

“It’s tragic that wanton vandalism can result in this kind of outcome.

“It’s been very difficult for all of us here but we’re still offering the same services as we have and we want that to continue.”

Following the fire, a spokesman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 2.55am on Sunday, eight firefighters from community fire station in North Moor attended Portsmouth Road in Sunderland.

“This was a single-storey building used as a nursery.

“The fire was in an outdoor shed, which was 100% severely damaged by fire.

“The fire spread to a second shed, which sustained 20% moderate fire damage.